Local students featured in 2019 MDAQMD calendar

Copies now available for free at district headquarters

The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District’s (MDAQMD) 2019 Calendar is loaded with ideas to protect air quality for future generations.

The calendar’s pages feature winning submissions from local students in MDAQMD’s annual Clean Air Month Poster Contest. This year’s theme, “Back to the FutAIR,” prompted participants to create an original drawing that shows ways to protect air quality for future generations. Representatives from contest cosponsors and the MDAQMD staff viewed submissions and voted on winners based on originality, creativity, artistic display and alliance to the contest theme.

Winners were awarded at first, second and third place in four categories: kindergarten to second grade, third to fifth grade, sixth to eighth grade and ninth through 12th grade.

“This is a great tradition for the District and serves as an effective and fun way to educate our local youth on the importance of maintaining good air quality and preventing pollution,” said Brad Poiriez, Executive Director of the MDAQMD.

Calendars are available for free at the district’s headquarters, 14306 Park Ave. in Victorville. Residents are invited to stop by and pick up a copy during business hours: 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays (closed alternating Fridays including Nov. 30 and Dec. 14).

MDAQMD hosts the annual Clean Air Month Poster Contest, cosponsored by the Victor Valley Transit Authority, the Victor Valley Daily Press, the Mojave Environmental Educational Consortium and the Air and Waste Management Association. The contest is open to students in grades K-12 who attend school within the MDAQMD boundaries.

MDAQMD is the air pollution control authority and permitting agency for the High Desert portion of San Bernardino County and the Palo Verde Valley in Riverside County. It’s governed by a board of 13 members representing nine incorporated municipalities and two counties within its boundaries. Visit www.mdaqmd.ca.gov or follow us on social media @MDAQMD.